The 21-year-old defender-cum-defensive midfielder was unveiled by Machhindra FC amidst a function on Wednesday at the GAA Futsal Arena in Thamel. Chand, however, is likely to be with Machhindra only until the end of December. Chand started his professional football career in 2010 with Machhindra. [break]
Chand, a product of ANFA Academy, eclipsed the previous official record signing of Santosh Sahukhala for Rs 50,000 per month by MMC for 2011.
However, national skipper Sagar Thapa for MMC and Three Star winger Jagjeet Shrestha are rumored to be paid Rs 75,000 per month in the current season, but both the clubs are reluctant to disclose the amount.
"I am extremely happy to return to the club where I started my football career. Machhindra is my beloved team and I will try my best to work as per the planning of the club," said Chand, who was also offered proposals from various other clubs. "Various other clubs including Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) had come to me with proposals to join their team. But I chose Machhindra because they have better promotional and marketing plans."
Chand, who played for Indonesian premier division teams PSPS Pekanbaru and Persija Jakarta last season, could leave the club at any moment to join the Indonesian club. Chand played for I-League side HAL in 2011 before leaving for Indonesia.
"Chand will have the privilege of free transfer to the Indonesian Club," said Biplav Gautam, the vice-president of Machhindra FC.
Chand´s previous club Persija Jakarta and several other Indonesian clubs are keen to sign him. Currently Chand is not with the Indonesian club and is likely to return to Indonesia before the Indonesian Super League begins in late January.
Besides salary, Chand will also earn revenues through various performances and incentives. Meanwhile, the club has also come up with a new concept in Nepali football of selling Rohit´s jersey. Chand will receive Rs 100 from the sale of each jersey.
According to Gautam, the club was in the process of hiring a Swedish coach and three foreign players. The club is in talks with Pakistani international winger Muhammad Adil, defensive midfielder Saddam Hussain and Ivory Coast forward Olawala O Afeez, who was slapped a one-year ban during last year´s league and the ban will end on January 3. "We have targeted a top-four finish in the league," said Gautam. Machhindra finished runner-up in the last edition of Safal Pokhara Cup, third in the first round of Martyrs Memorial League and sixth in the Super Eight rounds of the league.
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